Boro Under-18s were this week boosted by the successful return from injury of Lee Cattermole.

The tough-tackling 16-year-old from Stockton has been sidelined since suffering a lateral knee ligament injury against Liverpool Under-18s in September.

Fortunately, he came through 60 minutes of this week's reserve fixture against, ironically, Liverpool at Wrexham without any problems and will be included in the squad for the FA Youth Cup tie against Watford at Vicarage Road on February 15.

Eight of Boro's starting XI in the 2-1 defeat in North Wales are current members of the Academy.

Two of the subs - Kevin Burgess and Adam Clough - are also Academy scholars, while the third sub, USA Under-17 international Brian Mascarenhas, is on trial with the club.

Boro can now plot a rough route to the FA Youth Cup final following this week's draw for the latter rounds of the competition.

If they beat Watford, Dave Parnaby's lads will entertain Spurs or Everton at the Riverside.

Awaiting the winners in the two-legged semi-finals are four potential opponents: Crewe, Colchester, Ipswich or Aston Villa.

YET another member of Boro's FA Youth Cup -inning side has signed a long-term contract.

Tony McMahon, still just 18, put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to the club until 2008.

Matthew Bates and James Morrison have already signed lengthy contracts and striker Danny Graham is in talks.

Steve McClaren said: "It's great business for the football club, because we are committed to developing and keeping our best young players. Tony has shown he is fully worthy of a new contract and will continue to play a big part for us in the months and years ahead."

JOSH Walker has been selected for an England Under-16 training camp which runs from Febuary 13-16.